Ministry Expansion
The Early Childhood Development Team began meeting in August 2024 to look at the need to expand our ministries. During the past nine months, they have been busy! During that time, they have...
- Made phone calls and emails to Lutheran Preschool Directors in Idaho
- Made three Child Care Site Visits including Grace Lutheran in Caldwell
- Created a preschool Parent Survey
- Gathering information from the MinistryInsite Reports from the LCEF
- Met with LKV Architects (Boise)
- Met with Mike Madison and Rev. Kris Kunkel from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)
The ECDT is committed to evaluating the needs of our families and community, ensuring that our plans align with the mission and vision of our church and the values and aspirations of our community.
What We Have Learned From Our Research
Over the last nine months, the Early Childhood Development Team has met and poured over the information we received. In May, two Congregational Information Meetings were held to share what they discovered.
Growing Church
- Our congregation and community are both vibrant and thriving.
- Our church is highly visible from Chinden.
- We have a new outdoor sign to promote upcoming events, worship services, etc.
- We have a solid staff and lay leadership.
- We have a good reputation in our community.
- We have no mortgage and a small, low-interest loan.
- We have land and room to grow.
Growing Preschool
- 17 out of 18 of our preschool parents say a “Christian Environment” is the most important factor in sending their child to our preschool.
- Survey results from our parents show they want to keep their children with us as long as possible.
- We have a strong and dedicated preschool staff.
- Our preschool has outgrown the farmhouse with 94 spots filled.
- A $5,000 school tax credit was just signed into law by our governor.
- Our preschool is seeing more children from our church members attend.
Growing Worship
- Worship attendance has increased by 44% in the last two years.
- We just received another 30+ members this past Sunday. (Praise God!)
- We received another 30+ members last October 2024.
- Our parking lot is often at capacity on Sunday mornings.
- Worship services are near capacity.
- Special events like “Advent by Candlelight” are at capacity.
Growing Needs
- With no gymnasium, our children and youth are unable to play games like basketball, volleyball, or dodgeball. This limits our youth ministry.
- The preschool could use the gym during inclement weather or for performances.
- A gymnasium would allow us to expand a variety of events, like Advent by Candlelight, without the need to reset the church sanctuary for worship.
- A gymnasium would give us another worship venue option.
- Our gymnasium would be in high demand from our community for games and performances, providing another source of income and a connection to our neighbors.
- It would expand our reach into our community in new and unique ways.
Growing Community
According to the latest MissionInsite Executive Report...
- Our area is projected to grow by 21.52% over the next five years, compared to the state’s projection to grow by 13.60%.
- Fastest growth will be seen in three age brackets: Ages 0-4, Ages 25-34, and 65+ years old.
- There is growth in incomes of 100K and up.
- Almost 10% growth in the next five years for incomes of 200K and more.
View the Ministry Expansion Information Meetings
If you missed the Ministry Expansion Meetings in May, you may view them below. You may also download the Information Meeting slides in .pdf format.
View the Master Campus Plans
To download and view the first draft of the new Master Campus Plans that were shared at the May Information Meetings, click on the links below. Files will be in .jpg format.
What Have We Learned and Observed
- FCLC’s preschool is successful and now at maximum capacity. It is no longer able to meet the changing needs of our families.
- A larger, purpose-built preschool facility is needed to better serve the developmental and educational needs of young children.
- FCLC’s worship attendance is growing twice the rate of our community.
- Our parking lot is near capacity each Sunday morning and for special events.
- Church building is near capacity on Sunday morning and for special events.
- We have no gymnasium to serve the children, youth, and families in our church and community.
While these are good “problems to have”, if we do nothing, our growth will plateau and stagnate if guests are unable to find parking or seating.
If you’d like to ask a question or share a comment about this Ministry Expansion, please use the link below to email DCE Tim Kaufmann.